ILLEGAL ALIENS – THE PEOPLE

Bowing to “Political Correctness”, Congress has decided to regard all those who had illegally entered the United States over decades, and those to follow, as “undocumented immigrants” or simply “immigrants.” Notwithstanding Congress, they are aliens -- illegal aliens. Unfortunately, Webster’s College Dictionary (Random House – 1991) differentiates between them only by the following definitions, which essentially allow an alien to become an “immigrant”.

an immigrant is: 1. a person who migrates to another country, (usually) for permanent residence.

an alien is: 1. a foreign born resident who has not been naturalized and who owes allegiance to another country.

U.S. immigration and naturalization laws and processes are foreign to the average American – proceedings that are neither understood nor how they are implemented. However, two irrefutable facts exist that: (1) hundreds, perhaps thousands, of nationals of other countries are illegally entering the United States from Canada and Mexico daily and, (2) there are already 12 to 15 million illegal aliens in the country today.

To address the first problem, Congress has decided that a wall of some 350 miles be built along the border with Mexico, and that National Guard troops be deployed to support the U.S. Border Patrol.

As to the status of aliens who are already in the country unlawfully, Congress has to yet provide a solution that, of necessity, must be achievable, logical, practical, and legal. The House of Representatives, however, has already passed a bill to criminalize all illegal foreign nationals with a felony; to deport all of them; and to relegate them to the end of the “apply for citizenship” line. Handicapped by time and a criminal record, they would be unlikely candidates for U.S. citizenship. The U.S. government would be morally wrong to offer the goal of citizenship to them without providing any path for attaining it.

In retrospect, as the U.S. economy grew, the nation began to encourage nationals of other countries to enter the country legally in order to take the increasing number of unfilled jobs. A chance at U.S. citizenship was its tantalizing prize. Unfortunately, the eligibility requirements which the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (INS) has been enforcing are basically for those schooled in the technical, scientific, artistic, entertainment or sports fields. Consciously or not, the laws essentially excluded any opportunity whatsoever to those not included on the INS select list, which led to the influx of illegal aliens.

Americans should also recognize that the millions who entered the country illegally are not a homogeneous group. The House bill is basically punitive and does virtually nothing to solve the problem. For example, it is inconceivable to demand the learning of the English language as a requirement for citizenship. Individuals should be motivated to learn English because the test for naturalization will be in that language and, once a naturalized citizen, job advancements will depend on their proficiency in its use.

In addition, to demand a fine of $2000 and all back taxes owed from a group of people, who at best have been making minimum wage, is ludicrous. It should be obvious that even most middle-class U.S. wage earners would have difficulty meeting such financial demands.

However, punishment should be imposed on U.S. citizens and legal aliens who continue to encourage the following, especially after a permanent solution has been passed by Congress:

• Providing a safe haven for illegal aliens. Individuals would be personally and criminally liable for any such activity.
• Condoning sanctuary cities. All federal funding would be denied to such cities, and all of their elected officials who approve of such an action held personally and criminally liable for violating their oath of office.
• Hiring illegal aliens. Employers and employees who have the authority to hire and, who knowingly hire illegal aliens, would be held personally and criminally liable – not the business itself.

To solve the problem, the current illegal population should be categorized so that individuals whose current status is known can be immediately weeded out. As examples, they could include those previously convicted of crimes, and others who have overstayed their visas. The latter could be summarily deported unless they can provide mitigating circumstances which could have their visas extended.

It’s apparent that a pipeline parallel to the one currently in use by the INS be authorized by Congress to allow those illegal aliens already established in the country and in good standing -- and a promise to maintain that standing -- an opportunity to legally apply for citizenship. They would not have, by federal law, the privilege of the vote.

To that end, they would then fall into the following categories, be allowed to work, and made to pay federal income tax on their earnings. But, each person’s Social Security tax would be put into an involuntary savings plan until that person is naturalized, after which the tax would be absorbed into the Social Security system in his or her name.

GREEN CARD

“Prime” green card. This card would allow applicants to file for citizenship after three years:

Parents with U.S. born dependent children at the time of registration.

“Resident” green card. This card would allow applicants to apply for citizenship after five years:

* Parents with non-American born dependent children.
* Families with dependent parents who are over the age of 60.
* Married couples without children who have been in the country for more than five years.
* An individual who has been upgraded from “Special” based on a work performance.

“Special” green card. This card would be issued only to an individual for the following reason:

One who is specifically requested by an employer for a specific job. The card would have to be renewed each year and be good for a maximum of five years. After three years, however, the individual could apply for a “Resident” green card.

“Standard” green card. This card would be issued only to an individual for the following reason:

One who is currently in the country to work would be allowed to remain in the country for another three years, after which time he or she would have to return to the country of origin. While still in the country, the individual would have to renew the card each year, but could be upgraded to “Special” at any time based on an employer’s recommendation.

Should an individual holding a “green card” decide to voluntarily and permanently leave the United States, two thirds of the Social Security tax paid into the system would be returned to the individual at the time of exit.

AMNESTY

Special amnesty. With Congressional approval, this amnesty would apply only to the following:

* Individuals who entered the country seeking political asylum.
* Individuals who might have served and been honorably discharged from the U.S. military.

General amnesty.

Individuals who can document that they have established roots in the United States and, because of debilitating age or physical disability would not be able to start life over again in their country of origin.

EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER

Extended family members would be issued an Extended Family Card valid for only three years, after which time, he or she would have to return to the country of origin. They would have to renew the card each year. During the third year, they could establish their own credentials for an upgrade to “Special” green card based on the recommendation of an employer.

The idea of expelling all aliens for being in the country illegally is ludicrous. Historically, even small migrations of Americans in the country have caused major economic upheavals in the country. The House bill had completely ignored the fact that by eliminating five to ten percent of the U.S. work force, it would have, not just a major but a catastrophic effect on the economy.

The House Bill is not a solution, because there isn’t any way that it can be made to work. A practical solution to the problem has to be submitted NOW! Is there anyone ready to propose another option to the one presented above?

The People, Copyright 2006, Bob Hegamin